SEPTEMBER BIRTHSTONE - SAPPHIRE
The September
birthstone, Sapphire is chemically and structurally the same as Ruby - both are varieties of the mineral corundum
Sapphires are well known among the general public as being blue, but can be nearly any color except shades of red or pink (since those are called rubies).
Sapphire is also the Zodiac stone for
the constellation of Taurus the Bull. It is associated with the values of truth,
sincerity, commitment, and loyalty.
The blue color is by far the most popular color for sapphire but orange-pink, golden, white, and even black have generated much interest in the gem trade.
Tennis bracelets are available that contain a complete rainbow of sapphire
gemstones.
Oriented rutile crystal inclusions cause a six-pointed-star light effect (called asterism) to form the popular Star Sapphire.
Sapphires are well known from such places as Sri Lanka and India, and
excellent specimens are also found in Tanzania and the Kola Pennensula of
Russia. In addition, sapphires are found in many places throughout the world,
including North Carolina, Brazil, and China.
Sapphires are extremely durable (only diamond and moisannite are harder).
Artificial sapphire crystals are used are used as the crystal face in genuine
Rolex watches, and they are extremely scratch resistant.
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